What difference does the rebate or comps argument make if someone, like edwardwilliam, chooses not to live in Las Vegas? I would rather have the cold, hard cash and live where I choose to live, not where I have to live to get the comps.

Let me tell you something, pal. I'll live here even if I never get one comp.

I don't live some where to get comps. I choose to live here because for me like many, many, many, many, others it's all about being happy with your surroundings. Comps are only an added bonus if you play horses in this city.

I don't live some where to get comps. I choose to live here because for me like many, many, many, many, others it's all about being happy with your surroundings.

I'm glad you live where you want. You and the vast majority of Americans.

My question was what difference does the comps or rebate argument make, if for someone like edwardwilliam there are no comps? What if you do not care about the kind of things casinos comp you, like over the hill lounge acts? Of course edwardwilliam is the one who said you could get a rebate instead of comps to start the discussion, so I understand where you are coming from.

I'm glad you live where you want. You and the vast majority of Americans.

My question was what difference does the comps or rebate argument make, if for someone like edwardwilliam there are no comps? What if you do not care about the kind of things casinos comp you, like over the hill lounge acts? Of course edwardwilliam is the one who said you could get a rebate instead of comps to start the discussion, so I understand where you are coming from.

You see there you go again with your smart ass comments. You don't need a comp for an over the hill lounge act. Lounge acts are free. However you do have to pay for show tickets to see people you could never be as famous as because of who they are.

You see there you go again with your smart ass comments. You don't need a comp for an over the hill lounge act. Lounge acts are free. However you do have to pay for show tickets to see people you could never be as famous as because of who they are.¬†

I didn't mean a real lounge act in a lounge, I was talking about the type of thing you wrote a day or two ago. $40 tickets to see one of the Everly or Righteous brothers. $40 for that? That kind of act plays Illinois village summer festivals for $2 admission if there is admission. Only in Vegas do they cost $40. That being the case, is it really as good as $40 cash in some other city?

I didn't mean a real lounge act in a lounge, I was talking about the type of thing you wrote a day or two ago. $40 tickets to see one of the Everly or Righteous brothers. $40 for that? That kind of act plays Illinois village summer festivals for $2 admission if there is admission. Only in Vegas do they cost $40. That being the case, is it really as good as $40 cash in some other city?

It's $71.50 to see Tony Orlando "Knock Three Times" -- and I thought I'd seen it all!

That's what I mean. Do you think anyone really pays that kind of money to see acts like that? Two old couples from Des Moines per night maybe. Everyone else comped. The casinos write the "face value" prices to make people who get comps think they are getting a big deal.

I didn't mean a real lounge act in a lounge, I was talking about the type of thing you wrote a day or two ago. $40 tickets to see one of the Everly or Righteous brothers. $40 for that? That kind of act plays Illinois village summer festivals for $2 admission if there is admission. Only in Vegas do they cost $40. That being the case, is it really as good as $40 cash in some other city?

tonymfan, when we go to Las Vegas, we turn down most of the comps bestowed on us. ¬†Ringside seats at the UFC matches, 4th row for Bon Jovi or Elton John, etc. ¬†I'll go out of my way to say yes to Springsteen or back in the day Rodney Dangerfield (RIP) or Don Rickles. ¬†It's the fact that you are treated special, not some cold, calculated number that makes the town the magical place that it is. ¬†Years back, you could say blond, brunette, or redhead (if you were so inclined); send up a bottle of Dom or Glenlivet or a case of Diet Pepsi for that matter. ¬†Here, the track makes you swipe your card (which never swipes smoothly all the time) dozens upon dozens pf times just to get a free program. ¬†There's nothing wrong with the 7% & up Pinnacle and the others offer, but when they bar this and that re: Balmoral - what's the use ? ¬†90 % of my Las Vegas play for years has been on the horses and they know how to treat their good customers. ¬†My host told me to ask for coach fare reimbursement, but I was too proud. ¬†Herr, they give away 2 free Gas City vouchers at $20 apiece and bust out the other 698 patrons with total false hope - NICE ! ¬†They don't even have the swipe and win a "dime" anymore; instead the cockamamie unbalanced wheel of (mis)fortune has made a re-appearance. ¬†Most folks win $50 or $100. ¬†In the desert, I haven't paid for a racing form or program in years; here the person who sells them tells you your sick total with glee (and a sneer). ¬†No wonder business is in the pichadou... ¬†TC

tonymfan, when we go to Las Vegas, we turn down most of the comps bestowed on us. ¬†Ringside seats at the UFC matches, 4th row for Bon Jovi or Elton John, etc. ¬†I'll go out of my way to say yes to Springsteen or back in the day Rodney Dangerfield (RIP) or Don Rickles. ¬†It's the fact that you are treated special, not some cold, calculated number that makes the town the magical place that it is. ¬†Years back, you could say blond, brunette, or redhead (if you were so inclined); send up a bottle of Dom or Glenlivet or a case of Diet Pepsi for that matter. ¬†Here, the track makes you swipe your card (which never swipes smoothly all the time) dozens upon dozens pf times just to get a free program. ¬†There's nothing wrong with the 7% & up Pinnacle and the others offer, but when they bar this and that re: Balmoral - what's the use ? ¬†90 % of my Las Vegas play for years has been on the horses and they know how to treat their good customers. ¬†My host told me to ask for coach fare reimbursement, but I was too proud. ¬†Herr, they give away 2 free Gas City vouchers at $20 apiece and bust out the other 698 patrons with total false hope - NICE ! ¬†They don't even have the swipe and win a "dime" anymore; instead the cockamamie unbalanced wheel of (mis)fortune has made a re-appearance. ¬†Most folks win $50 or $100. ¬†In the desert, I haven't paid for a racing form or program in years; here the person who sells them tells you your sick total with glee (and a sneer). ¬†No wonder business is in the pichadou... ¬†TC

No argument Vegas casinos treat you better than racetracks. I understand that. They can afford to comp because their profit margin on racing is more than racetracks. Just as important, they are in a competitive business and understand it. But the question is if you don't live in Las Vegas and are a regular horseplayer where you live, what difference does it make what they do in Las Vegas? If you live in Nevada or Atlantic City you have a choice about rebate or comp, anywhere else no.

I'm a twin spires member. ¬†I like Churchill Downs and will put down a grand a day every day they run during the spring meet. ¬†I bet a lot, the exact amount I don't know. ¬†I also bet Woodbine and Mohawk at night on many occasions. ¬†Last year I got a gold card and a parking permit in the mail, the card gets me a free program every day and a seat in the smoke filled gold club room. ¬†In 2005, I continued to bet on CD like before. ¬†Woodbine and Mohawk the same. ¬†I learned servral years ago that Chicago harness was throwing money in the trash. ¬†My gold card went missing during the summer and they gave me a "temporary" card but i could still get a free book every day. ¬†I bet ellis park one day, a grand, and lost every single bet, it happens but the form I saw was non existant. I stoppped betting altogether. my gold ¬†card never arrrived, I got an invite to the million, which i don't give a shit about and decided I'd take the free food in the gold club room at AP. ¬†I get there and my name is nowhere and they looked it up and said we appreciate your business but this place is full but here is a ticket for the outdoor tent. ¬†*** that, I went home and kept my money. ¬†Near Xmas, I got an invoice for six KY Derby and Oaks tickets, great seats,for face value. ¬†I sent the $875 for the six pack for both. ¬†Then I get a SILVER card in the mail for 2006. ¬†Let me tell you something, these guys are idiots. ¬†I bet a ton. ¬†More in 05 than 04 and I get bounced down a level. ¬†I'm looking forward to attending the derby in person though. ¬†THe moral is the perk for twin spires is getting to see the derby in good seats, period. ¬†Maywood, hawthorne, balmoral, what is the carrot for betting huge? ¬†Junk. You should get a hooker, dope, limo rides, something, not a shitty looking coat or cap. ¬†

I'm a twin spires member. I like Churchill Downs and will put down a grand a day every day they run during the spring meet. I bet a lot, the exact amount I don't know. I also bet Woodbine and Mohawk at night on many occasions. Last year I got a gold card and a parking permit in the mail, the card gets me a free program every day and a seat in the smoke filled gold club room. In 2005, I continued to bet on CD like before. Woodbine and Mohawk the same. I learned servral years ago that Chicago harness was throwing money in the trash. My gold card went missing during the summer and they gave me a "temporary" card but i could still get a free book every day. I bet ellis park one day, a grand, and lost every single bet, it happens but the form I saw was non existant. I stoppped betting altogether. my gold card never arrrived, I got an invite to the million, which i don't give a shit about and decided I'd take the free food in the gold club room at AP. I get there and my name is nowhere and they looked it up and said we appreciate your business but this place is full but here is a ticket for the outdoor tent. f*** that, I went home and kept my money. Near Xmas, I got an invoice for six KY Derby and Oaks tickets, great seats,for face value. I sent the $875 for the six pack for both. Then I get a SILVER card in the mail for 2006. Let me tell you something, these guys are idiots. I bet a ton. More in 05 than 04 and I get bounced down a level. I'm looking forward to attending the derby in person though. THe moral is the perk for twin spires is getting to see the derby in good seats, period. Maywood, hawthorne, balmoral, what is the carrot for betting huge? Junk. You should get a hooker, dope, limo rides, something, not a shitty looking coat or cap.

They have quarterly and yearly qualifiers for the bronze, silver, and gold cards. Chances are you caught a quarterly qualifier in 04, and although you bet more for the year in 05, you didn't reach the "gold level."

However, I pretty agree with you. All these plans are crap. Hawthorne's isn't bad (they give about 2-3% rebate in vouchers), but really they are all pretty piss poor.